Last year, Xiaomi partnered with Google over Android One. The result of that collaboration was the Mi A1 dubbed one of the best budget smartphones of 2018. This year, Xiaomi has joined forces with Google again — and this time, we have not just one, but two budget smartphones: the Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite. What are the upgrades from the Mi A1 and how do the two new phones compare? Let’s find out!
Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Mi A2 Lite: Specs
Let’s take a quick look at the specs of Xiaomi’s two Android One smartphones – Xiaomi Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite.
| Product name | Xiaomi Mi A2 4G Phablet Global Version | Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite 4G Phablet Global Version |
| Display | 5.99-inch 18:9 full screen display, 2160×1080 FHD+, 403 PPI, 1500:1 contrast ratio | 5.84-inch 1080×2280 FHD+, 432PPI, 1500:1 contrast ratio |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE, Flagship-level Processor with AI Engine | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, up to 2.0 GHz |
| Camera | 20MP front camera, 12MP + 20MP rear cameras | 5MP front camera, 12MP + 5MP AI dual rear cameras |
| Battery | 3010mAh?typ?/ 2910mAh?min? | 4000mAh?typ? / 3900mAh?min? |
| Memory | 4+32GB / 4+64GB / 6+128GB | 3 + 32GB / 4 + 64GB |
| External memory | Not supported | Supports expandable storage up to 256GB |
| SIM card slot | Dual Nano-SIM card slot | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + expandable microSD card |
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Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Mi A2 Lite: key differences in display, CPU, and storage
Design-wise, one of the differences between the Xiaomi Mi A2 vs. Mi A2 Lite is evident at the first glance: the Mi A2 Lite has a notch and the Mi A2 doesn’t. As we look deeper into it, we learn that the Mi A2 sports a standard 18:9 ratio 5.99 inch IPS LCD display with 2160×1080 resolution while the Mi A2 Lite comes with a 5.84 screen with 2220×1080 resolution.
The Mi A2 is powered by the Snapdragon 660 Octa Core processor (with four 2GHz Kryo 260 cores and four 1.8GHz Kryo 260 cores). The Mi A2 Lite sports the Snapdragon 625 with eight A53 cores speeding up to 2.0GHz. For gaming and media, there is the Adreno 512 on the Mi A2 against the Adreno 506 on the Mi A2 Lite.
Another thing of note is the headphone jack. While there is a strong tendency of doing away with the 3.5mm output among high-end phones, the trend seems to be catching on among budget smartphones as well. Thus, the Mi A2 does not have a headphone jack — instead, you get the multi-purpose USB-C port and Bluetooth connectivity. By contrast, the Mi A2 Lite has kept the headphone jack.
Both phones offer a few options when it comes to RAM and storage. You can get the Mi A2 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of storage. The Mi A2 Lite is available with 3GB or 4GB of RAM in combo with 32GB or 64GB of storage.
Now, let’s give some attention to each device individually.
Xiaomi Mi A2: strong performance on a budget
As we’ve mentioned above, the Mi A2 comes with a very nice display: you get a 5.99-inch FHD+ screen with the 18:9 ratio. A nice touch to the design is the 2.5D curved glass creating a beautiful soft frame that is easy to handle with one hand.
The processor is the trusty Snapdragon 660 — easily comparable to that of the latest flagships in terms of speed and energy efficiency.
There’s the 3010mAh battery under the hood. You get Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0 and a USB-C port for quick and efficient communication with other devices. The camera game is not bad either: the Mi A2 comes features a primary 12MP IMX 376 coupled with a 20MP module with large 2.0um pixels. You also get the 20MP selfie shooter and Xiaomi’s famous AI Portrait Mode.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite: the Mi A1 redesigned
The Mi A2 Lite shares a number of characteristics with its predecessor, the Mi A1. Namely, you get the same Snapdragon 625 processor offering a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. Just like with the Mi A1, the Mi A2 Lite gets the Adreno 506 GPU, the option with 4GB of RAM, 12MP rear camera, and a 5MP selfie shooter, etc.
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With that, there are a few significant differences. First, there is a major upgrade in the phone’s design: the front cam has been moved into a notch at the top, which has allowed to expand the screen to 5.8 inches (compared to 5.5 inches on the Mi A1). The bigger display comes with a number of obvious benefits (a better media experience, more immersive gaming, easier browsing, etc.) and gives the phone an overall more modern look.
There is another difference between the two phones that we don’t quite understand. While the Mi A1 came with the USB-C port, the Mi A2 reverted back to micro USB – a puzzling choice, but it does not take much away from the experience.
What are the benefits of having a phone with Android One?
Android One is a version of Android that has been designed specifically to offer a great performance on budget smartphones. How is it different?
First, it’s a very basic version of Android – thus, you don’t have a plethora of unnecessary features to deal with, which, in turn, makes your smartphone faster and more energy efficient even with the limited resources on board. Second, as there is no third party customization, you get to enjoy the type of Android experience that has been designed for you by Google, with no alterations by other companies. Finally, since you get your software directly from Google, you can also expect timely updates without the inconvenience of delays frequently experienced by lower-end devices running on Android.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite are very decent follow-ups to the bestselling Mi A1. With new design and performance features, both phones offer interesting takes on a what a budget Android phone should be. The pricing does not disappoint either: the Mi A2 starts from just over $250 while the Mi A2 Lite can be yours for less than $200.
Using the coupon code: GB$MP12thA32, The Xiaomi Mi A2 4GB/64GB global version can be purchased for just $204.99
Using the coupon code: GB$MP12thA24, The Xiaomi Mi A2 lite 4GB/32GB global version can be purchased for just $168.99
